COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe student will learn the main grammar topics of Italian language and will practice them either in the classroom (conversations, role plays, games, songs) or in selected locations. For this reason the program will also include excursions and academic activities in places such as markets and supermarkets, restaurants and cafeterias, exhibitions and museums, historical buildings and locations of cultural interest.

Elementary Italian II

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe student will learn the main grammar topics of Italian language and will practice them either in the classroom (conversations, role plays, games, songs) or in selected locations. For this reason the program will also include cultural activities, focused on the everyday life of the students in the host community: excursions and academic activities in places such as markets and supermarkets, restaurants and cafeterias, exhibitions and museums, historical buildings and locations of cultural interest.

Intermediate Italian I

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONStudents will review and learn new basic Italian grammar structures and will use them in more complex phrases and sentences either in classrooms (conversations, role plays, games, songs) or in selected locations. For this reason the program will also include excursions and academic activities in places such as markets and supermarkets, restaurants and cafeterias, exhibitions and museums, historical buildings and locations of cultural interest.

Intermediate Italian II

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONIn the first part of the course students learn the basic Italian grammar structures and use them in more complex conversations either in classrooms or in selected locations. For this reason the program also includes excursions and academic activities in places such as exhibitions, museums, historical buildings and locations of cultural interest.In the second part of the course students will learn the last section of the basic grammar topics, in particular the function of verb tenses and their agreement. Classes are also focused on the analysis of the grammar structures.The last part of the course is focused on the study of the agreement of verb tenses, the subjunctive mode, the implicit forms, the impersonal form, and the passive voice. Classes are also focused on the accurate creation of oral and written texts.

Italian Conversation

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONIn the first part of the course students learn the basic Italian grammar structures and use them during in more complex phrases and sentences either in the classroom or in selected locations. For this reason the program also includes excursions and academic activities in places such as exhibitions and museums, historical buildings and locations of cultural interest.In the second part of the course students will study the function of verb tenses and their agreement. Classes are also focused on the deep analysis of grammar structures.The last part of the course is focused on a deeper study of the agreement of verb tenses, the subjunctive mood, the implicit forms, the impersonal form, and the passive voice. Classes are also focused on the accurate creation of oral and written texts.

History of Art

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course explores artwork produced in Italy from the 14th century until 17th century. It will focus on the relationship of the works of art to their cultural and historical importance in the time period of when they were produced. Emphasis will be placed on the function of the artwork as well its relationship to the artwork’s patron, artist and/or location.

History of contemporary Italy

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course offers a survey of modern Italian history from 1815 to the present. Besides presenting historical events, it inquires into the very making of late-modern/contemporary Italy. The course is organized along two main lines: chronological and thematic. Chronologically, it documents developments and key turning points in Italian history from the end of Napoleonic wars (1815) to our days. Part I introduces the early stage (from the advent of Risorgimento to the WW1) and the fascist times (fascism and WW2). Part II is dedicated to Republican times (the first and the second republic, and beyond). Thematically, it investigates key patterns: the nation (ethnic roots, language) and its nationalist turn (colonialism, racism); religion (Catholicism); the modern state and its pillars (the constitution, institutional setting, the party system); economy (from poverty to consumerism; ‘Made in Italy’; food culture); society (social stratification, family, and gender); geography (territory; South–North); informal institutions (mafia, terrorism, corruption); arts (literature, painting, architecture, cinema, music). In addition, the course places Italian events within a European and world-wide framework.

Italian Politics

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe course aims at reconstructing the core elements of Italian politics, from three different points of view: history, political system and political culture. After a brief introduction to the main elements of political science and to the Italian context, the course is divided into three parts, corresponding to these aspects.The introductory lectures are mainly historical and aim at reconstructing the shape of the Italian political system and culture as they emerged from the process of state-building started with the unification of the country in 1861, and from the transition to democracy after the Second World War. This part is dedicated in particular to the rise and consolidation of mass political parties (Christian Democracy, Socialist Party and Communist Party), the role of Italian unconventional political actors, the 1970s as an era of massive collective action, the political crisis of the early 1990s and the new political system that emerged from it.The second part of the course is dedicated to the description of the current Italian political system. It starts from an analysis of the Italian Constitution and it includes lectures on the role of executive, legislative and judiciary power, on electoral laws and party system, on the relationship between central and local government and on the gradual integration of Italy into the European Union.The third part is dedicated to the Italian political culture and it discusses some peculiar topics, such as the role of organised crime, the influence of the Catholic Church, or the evolution of the media system, that which have been deeply influencing Italian politics.Throughout the course, principles, theories and methods of political science will be introduced, through the reference to Italian examples.

Modern Italian Literature

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course will introduce students to Italian literature of the twentieth century using the theory of the avant-garde as a critical jumping-off point from which to study the movements within, and the resistances to Italian literary tradition that marked this turbulent historical period. To accentuate the stylistic and formal qualities of avant-garde literature, students will have the chance to choose between two different texts, each of which represents the various movements that we will explore and seek to define. I hope that this will enhance our in-class discussions and provide us with the opportunity to achieve a deeper understanding of the greater complexities of the scope and aims of literary movements in general.

Italian Cinema

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe course introduces the student to the world of Italian Cinema. In the first part the class will be analysing Neorealism, a cinematic phenomenon that deeply influenced the ideological and aesthetic rules of film art. In the second part we will concentrate on the films that mark the decline of Neorealism and the talent of ‘new’ auteurs such as Fellini and Antonioni. The last part of the course will be devoted to the cinema from 1970’s to the present in order to pay attention to the latest developments of the Italian industry. The course is a general analysis of post-war cinema and a parallel social history of this period using films as ‘decoded historical evidence’. Together with masterpieces such as Open city and The bicycle thief the screenings will include films of the Italian directors of the ‘cinema d’autore’ such as The conformist, Life is Beautiful and the 2004 candidate for the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, I am not scared. The class will also analyse the different aspects of Film making both in Italian and the U.S. industry where I had the pleasure to work for many years in the Editing Department on Films such as The dead poet society and The Godfather part 3. The Films in DVD format are dubbed in English or sub-titled.

Travel Photography

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONStudents learn the basic technique of digital photography while they tell the story of their study abroad experience. They will also study the history and literature of travel photography, understanding storytelling techniques and reflect on their experiences as study abroad students. Every student will keep a photoblog/journal and keep a Facebook/Instagram page.In addition to photographs, this journal can consist of (but is not limited to) written entries, drawings, found imagery and other souvenirs. The journal will be graded on contents as well as artistic merit.

The first week of the course is dedicated to study the history and literature of travel photography together with the basic structures of storytelling. The second week will introduce basic photography technique also applied in a sample field trip dedicated to landscape and architecture photography.Week 3 will introduce images elaboration basics, week 4 will be dedicated to introduce social networking and blogging. Week 5 will be dedicated to overview students work progress (midterm #1)Weeks 6 and 7 will be again dedicated to photography technique (portrait, life-style and still life), postproduction and social networking. Week 8 is a general review of students work advancement (midterm #2).After the break (week 9) the class work will be organized for 4 weeks (weeks 10 to 13) as an editorial lab where the students are supposed to organize the images taken during their weekend tours or during the week stay in Florence; the lab will consider images editing, blogging, creation of images galleries and slideshows, preparation of high quality images for printing.Week 14 will be dedicated to the preparation of the final exhibition and presentation where the slideshows will be projected and blogs displayed.Week 15 lesson is the final exhibition and presentation day.

Marketing in Sports, Events and Performing Arts

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course will introduce students to the main critical approaches and methods in use in sport, culture and performing arts marketing, with a special focus on the lowest common denominator among these fields: the “immaterial” nature of a sport, culture/art or performing arts event, a concept which is central in all these three fields of study, and traditionally distinguishes them from products focused approaches. On the other side, it will help them understand the importance of events marketing in any market, whereas “events” are recognized now as the most powerful tools of an advertising strategy. Il will lead them discover the KSF of successful marketing campaigns, through the analysis of a few best practices (examples will include either Fiorentina’s for sport, Museo degli Uffizi’s for the arts, La Scala’s for the performing arts, and others), and more examples of events marketing strategies, such as those pursued by Consorzio del Prosecco DOC’s (food & beverage), Condé Nast’s (fashion & publishing), Ferrari’s (cars/luxury), and others. This will help them understand the richness of the field, and provide them with an insight of the challenges any marketing or communications’ officer must face today.A special focus of the course will be on the concept of “intangible values’”. It is known that we as consumers are not interested in just buying and consuming a product, alone. Products’ “intangibles” - i.e. brands image, in the first place - have always been a part of the “reasons why” we were willing to buy such products, besides being a source of contentment in consumption, and therefore one of the biggest focuses for generations of marketing managers now. Today more than ever before though, we are definitely craving for more: we need to make sense through our consumption behavior, to know “who” are we buying from, what does this mean in global economic terms, if we are doing any evil to others, who are our fellow consumers, why are we buying it, and – moreover– we also like being rewarded, awarded, entertained, considered as an important part of relationship process by our vendor. Intangible values have such tangible impact on producers that they are becoming the central points of any successful marketing strategy. The present marketing paradigm having definitely shifted to a “service” oriented and a quality management understanding of any form of consumption, developing a brand’s marketing strategy and delivering an effective marketing campaign today means meeting such needs of “intangible” values, be it in the dimensions of service, experience, membership and belonging, moral and social reward, and emotional connection.

Painting

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course teaches the fundamentals of painting. Lessons are both theoretical and workshops and are aimed to enrich student’s perception, learn the language of images, create the artistic activity of a knowledge experience and self-knowledge, incorporate disciplines of drawing and painting as a basis for the exercise of their own creative expression, to encourage research and experimentation for the benefit of their projects.

Drawing

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course teaches the fundamentals of drawing. Lessons are both theoretical and workshops and are aimed to enrich student’s perception, learn the language of images, create the artistic activity of a knowledge experience and self-knowledge, incorporate various disciplines of drawing as a basis for the exercise of their own creative expression, to encourage research and experimentation for the benefit of their projects.

Draping - Fashion

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe course teaches students how to create a costume, starting by choosing a piece of music, that may be classical, pop, jazz etc. As they study the emotions that arise from listening to the piece, students will transform these emotions and express them through a different medium: the design of a costume. The sketches will subsequently be realized in 3D using paper and various other materials. Each unique costume will therefore represent the transformation of the original piece of music into visual art, through the student’s own personal emotions. The different costumes will then be able to be used in shows, videos, theatre and dance shows.

Management of the Performing Arts

Music Theory III

CREDITS: US 3 - ECTS 4,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe Course offers a systematic exposition of the theory and analysis of tonal and post-tonal music. Students develop analytical and compositional skills through exercises in guided writing and the study of pieces from the literature. Level I-III focus on tonal practice. Level IV presents a spectrum of 20th century post-tonal techniques. Course activities are correlated with the materials for the corresponding level of Aural Comprehension.

Music Theory IV

CREDITS: US 3 - ECTS 4,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe Course offers a systematic exposition of the theory and analysis of tonal and post-tonal music. Students develop analytical and compositional skills through exercises in guided writing and the study of pieces from the literature. Level I-III focus on tonal practice. Level IV presents a spectrum of 20th century post-tonal techniques. Course activities are correlated with the materials for the corresponding level of Aural Comprehension.

Aural Comprehension III

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course aims to develop musicianship skills and aural comprehension of music through class exercises involving individual and group participation, with emphasis on sight-singing and dictation. Course activities are correlated with the materials for the corresponding level of Music Theory.

Aural Comprehension IV

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTION The course aims to develop musicianship skills and aural comprehension of music through class exercises involving individual and group participation, with emphasis on sight-singing and dictation. Course activities are correlated with the materials for the corresponding level of Music Theory

Jazz Ensemble

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTION

AEF Jazz Ensemble combines original and classic arrangements of jazz standards as well as new compositions written by the ensemble director. All styles and eras of jazz are considered worth rehearsing, including classic repertory from the jazz canon and from the best contemporary authors. Students will be encouraged to develop their improvisational skills as well as their interplay abilities, being part of the group. The ensemble will represent the school in official performances at a professional level.

Jazz Improvisation I

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVESThe course introduces the basic elements of jazz improvisation. Students will be encouraged to develop their improvisational skills as well as their interplay abilities. The students will recognize the characteristic elements of jazz improvisation and develop a knowledge of jazz articulation and phrasing in different styles. The students will also develop knowledge of improvising on jazz standards and original compositions.

Jazz Improvisation II

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTION Jazz Improvisation II is a continuation of Jazz Improvisation I that reaches an upper-level study of the elements of jazz improvisation.Students will be encouraged to develop their improvisational skills as well as their interplay abilities. The students will recognize the advanced elements of jazz improvisation and develop a knowledge of jazz articulation and phrasing in different styles. The students will also develop a knowledge of improvising on alternate scales and complex harmonic formula including modal jazz.

Music History

Music History IV

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTIONSurvey of major composers, genres and stylistic features of the European and American Modern and Post-Modern eras in music history. Samples of a broad spectrum of musical life in twentieth century, including Art Music in common practice: Jazz, Popular, Rock: compositional techniques, life characteristics, and relationship will be emphasized. Historical overview of principal artistic trends of the period and technical development of score study/analysis/listening skills.

Jazz History and Popular Music

Music Business

Music Technology

Diction for Singers I

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONPerfect diction is essential for opera singers in order to make their performance linguistically understandable without altering the quality of the sound. Understanding what you are singing through correct diction helps improve your technical aspects as well as the formal and interpretive ones.This course will explore the principles of phonetics as it applies to singers. It is designed to cover the basics of the International Phonetic Alphabet, with attention to the Italian language, and will focus primarily on practical application, critical listening and vocal performances. If time permits, we will touch briefly on Italian dialects like Neapolitan. Grades will be determined based on homework, lyrics of the scores, and in-class performances.

Diction for Singers II

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONPerfect diction is essential for opera singers in order to make their performance linguistically understandable without altering the quality of the sound. Understanding what you are singing through correct diction helps to improve your technical aspects as well as the formal and interpretive ones.This course will explore the principles of phonetics as it applies to singers. It is designed to cover the basics of the International Phonetic Alphabet, with attention to the German and French language, and will focus primarily on practical application, critical listening and vocal performances. Grades will be determined based on homework, lyrics of the scores, and in-class performances.

Opera Workshop

CREDITS: ECTS 3 - US 2

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe course’s main objective is to give students the opportunity to work alongside a professional with international recognition that has worked eitheras a singer or as an opera director with well-known stars on a global level and appeared on some of the most prestigious stages in the world for overthirty years.

Dance History I

From Renaissance to the XIX Century

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The student will study the main themes and events of history of dance (from the origins to the end of XIX century). They'll practice the analysis and reading exercise through video projections.

Dance History II

The XX century

CREDITS: US 3/4 - ECTS 6

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the main themes and events of the history of dance in the Twentieth century. Students will analyze the works of the greatest dancers and choreographers of the past century through videos and exercises.

Modern Dance IV

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe course offers study in applied modern dance instruction at a solid intermediate level. The input is based on the evolution of modern twentieth century dance technique that is acknowledged to stem from the major dance styles by choreographers and master teachers Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and Josè Limon, among others. The course focuses on enhancing the dance education of the present day dancer and performer.

Modern Dance V

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe course offers study in applied modern dance instruction at an advanced level. The input is based on the evolution of modern twentieth century dance technique that is acknowledged to stem from the major dance styles by choreographers and master teachers Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and Josè Limon, among others, this course expands on contemporary dance concepts which include improvisation, and contamination of urban dance styles. The course focuses on enhancing the dance education of the present day dancer and performer through extensive choreographic research.

Ballet IV

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course provides intensive instruction in ballet and through technique classes at an intermediate/advanced level for a more complete development of technical skills and a more profound understanding of the aesthetic criteria for classical ballet. The originality of the class is based on a very accomplished career of the master-teacher, Marga Nativo, who as prima ballerina étoile, studied with the greatest teachers of our time. The class is designed to provide a strong technically based experience with an emphasis on style, musicality and performance quality, while specifically addressing elements of proper turn-out, extension, ballòn and intermediate/advanced pointe work, as well as general theory of ballet.

Ballet V

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides intensive instruction in ballet and through technique classes at an advanced level for a more complete development of technical skills and a more profound understanding of the aesthetic criteria for classical ballet. The originality of the class is based on a very accomplished career of the master-teacher, Marga Nativo, who as prima ballerina étoile, studied with the greatest teachers of our time. The class is designed to provide a strong technically based experience with an emphasis on style, musicality and performance quality, while specifically addressing elements of proper turn-out, extension, ballòn and intermediate/advanced pointe work, as well as general theory of ballet.

Dance Ensemble

CREDITS: US 1 - ECTS 1,5

COURSE DESCRIPTIONThe Dance Ensemble course is based on the creation of a new dance by a guest choreographer that will be performed at the end of the semester in the final student performance. Classes will be presented as rehearsals in choreography with a previous abridged warm-up and ballet barre in order to insure proper physical preparedness. The students are required to attend every rehearsal as well as technical and dress rehearsals in order to insure the maximum experience from the Dance Ensemble course.